Get Unit 2 Cellular Chemistry Structure And Physiology Module 5 Answer Key

Cactus and acacia plants withstand the hot and dry environment of the desert with the help of various modifications. They have thick cuticles on their leaf surface and their stomata are arranged in deep pits to minimise water loss by transpiration.

Cacti have a thick, hard-walled, succulent stem – when it rains, water is stored in the stem. The stems are photosynthetic, green, and fleshy. The inside of the stem is either spongy or hollow (depending on the cactus). A thick, waxy coating keeps the water inside the cactus from evaporating.

Cacti are adapted to live in very dry environments, including the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth. Because of this, cacti show many adaptations to conserve water. For example, almost all cacti are succulents, meaning they have thickened, fleshy parts adapted to store water.

To survive in a desert, the cactus has the following adaptations: (i) It has long roots that go deep inside the soil for absorbing water. (ii) Its leaves are present in the form of spines to prevent water loss through transpiration. (iii) Its stem is covered with a thick waxy layer to retain water.

The six essential elements are important for homeostasis is to make up essential compounds and regulating hydrogen ions to maintain pH levels.

Mitosis creates two identical daughter cells that each contain the same number of chromosomes as their parent cell. In contrast, meiosis gives rise to four unique daughter cells, each of which has half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Cactus is well known for its ability to store water. A waxy coating on the stem and pads helps to reduce water loss. Further adaptations include spines, which are thought to help shade the plant by creating shadows, and plant orientation to sun exposure.